Fellow semi-auto guys: should I own a revolver?

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

Grayrider

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2002
Messages
996
Location
Missouri Ozarks
I hope the mods will allow this here rather than general handguns, as I am really only interested in the opinions of semi-auto owners.

I have never owned a revolver. I just have not seen much reason for it. I have autos that run 100%, shoot fast, are accurate, and have plenty of "stopping power" (whatever that is). But recently I took the CCW class and did real well on the revolver part. Took me a bit by surprise. I have shot them on a couple occasions and also did well. I also like the look of a nice, modern, revolver.

So what do the rest of you think. Is there a reason for one? I don't mean that as an attack on revolvers. I really am debating this.

Thank you for your opinions!

GR
 
Heh heh...well there is that angle. I try not to follow the "I can afford it so why not" approach too much though as I would rapidly go broke!

:D

I cannot say I have always been that frugal, but I give it at least a little effort.

GR
 
Well, if not the fact that you can afford it....

If you truly enjoy shooting a revolver, can shoot it well, and like the looks and feel of one... get it. As long as you don't end up with a paperweight, it's a good purchase.
 
Its refreshing to shoot my revolvers when I'm tired of chasing brass!

But cheap, non-reloadable Wolf ammo keeps me shooting mostly autoloaders these days.

A S&W SC360 Scandium .357 snubbie with CTC Lasergrips is a regular part of my carry rotation. This time of year I carry mostly it or my Kahr PM40, with a Kel-Tec P3AT as a better than nothing gun. Kimber Ultra Carry 45 is my prefered choice, but its season has passed for this year.

If you don't reload, revolvers other than .22LR are generaly more expensive to shoot because there is no cheap "surplus" ammo like there is for police/miltary autoloader calibers.

Reloading revolvers is cheap as it gets because you don't lose brass in the weeds.

--wally.
 
When you want to start shooting at longer ranges, say 50 yards or more, revolvers start to take over. Sure a smith tuned 1911 will shoot well at 50 yards, but a nice revolver will usually do better.
A good S&W or Python in .357 will do amazing things out to 200 yards.
I shoot my Glock 20-10mm most of the time,
But I just plunked down a lot of hard earned cash on a Freedom Arms model 97-.357 Magnum because I like to plink at the 200 yard berm with handguns. I'm 43, and I figure this will last me the rest of my life (I'm not sure the Glock will).
 
Grayrider;

I've got some of each. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the fact that you can pick up a perfectly serviceable used revolver for a fraction of the cost of an equally good semi. T'were me, and it was at one point, I'd again go looking for a good police trade-in. You know, the kind that's carried a lot & shot a little.

S&W model 19's & 66's, & Rugers are all out there.

900F
 
Is there a reason for one?
Click to expand...

With the exception of big bore magnums for hunting or in bear country, I would say there really is no reason to buy a revolver unless you just happen to want one. There was a time when all I owned was revolvers, now all my handguns are semi-autos. However, if a wheelgun came along that struck my fancy and was priced right, yeah, I'd buy it.
 
I shoot both. Revolvers have a place in my heart that will never be taken by semi-auto's. Maybe because I grew up with revolvers? Maybe because my memorable hunts involve revolvers? It's just been over the last ten years that I have gotten into pistols and I must admit, I do love them too! However, I think a man is doing himself a disservice not have and enjoy both.

I would suggest picking up a S&W model 686 in 5" or 6" bbl. Be careful though, they are contagious. :D
 
My first two handguns were a Ruger Mark I .22 and a Model Of 1911 Colt .45.
My last two I bought were a Smith M28 and a Smith M657. I've been shooting N-frames almost exclusively this spring, but I think I'll be taking out my custom PARA/CASPIAN pin gun, or my Colt Combat Commander 9mm soon.
My house gun used to be the 1911 .45 ACP, now it's a Smith M649.
It's good to have both types.
I appreciate the good qualities of each.

If a revolver "calls" to you loudly enough buy it.
 
I definitely think you should get one. I like the looks and the ideas of auto's more, but my first gun is a 4" 686. My next gun will definitely be an auto, and I don't really plan on buying another revolver, possibly ever. I want at least one revolver, but I also want a 1911, and an XD. So, revolvers will take a backseat for a while.
 
Definitely get one. I am by far a semiauto man myself, but I have 1 686 jus' for kicks and giggles. I dont think I'll get another revolver for a very long time, but this revolver aint going anywhere.

Still though, I shoot semiautos better and still prefer the feel of semiautos, but I've grown a soft spot for revolvers. They're fun to shoot! :)
 
Just got back from the gun show. I went with a thought towards looking at wheelguns a bit--well that and for a hi-power that struck my fancy. None of the latter except a butchered FN and a Daly (the bad things you hear about them are true).

I handled a Taurus Tracker that fit my hand like a glove. Pointed well too. It was a 357. I am thinking if I do this I want something 45LC or 44. I suppose I could argue I lack a magnum (unless you count 10mm), ao the latter would fit that roll. Of course I don't really need a magnum as I don't hunt.

I had not thought about long range, but that is a point. When I first shot a revolver it was an older gentleman's blackhawk as I recall. I was shooting a Makarov and knocking cans around at 25 yds. He said "that is pretty accurate for a small gun" and asked if he could try it. I offered to trade him a cylinder through his for a couple mags through mine. He agreed, and I really enjoyed it (as did he). That 45LC shot flat and the gun handled nicely. It certainly printed well at that range.

I will contemplate this further. As cheap as they are perhaps a wheelgun would be a no-risk purchase. If I don't like it I can sell it for another auto I don't really need.

;)

GR
 
Why not? I enjoy shooting just about anything. My S&W Model 29 with a Gilmore red dot is a ball to shoot at longer ranges than any of my autos. My Model 17 is as accurate as any .22 I've ever shot. I have a Colt Police Positive .38 that is amazingly accurate. I have my eye on a nickle S&W Model 27 that has a D/A pull that is as smooth as butter. If you like it, buy it. Good luck.:D
 
Wheelguns

Absolutely! As much as I love the 1911s and clones, there just ain't much
in the way of handguns any sweeter than a well-tuned K-Frame Smith & Wesson...or an L-frame either for that matter.

I've found that a little range work with a double-action revolver helps
with my trigger control when I go back to the autopistols too.


Luck!

Tuner
 
GR- you said it- "fit like a glove". I love my autoloaders, but there's something about the way a wheelie feels in my hands that is just so right. And ergonomics go a long way toward improving accuracy, too. My current love is a Ruger 4" Security Six with Hogue rubber grips: solid as a tank, accurate, and becoming a good friend.

Chuck
 
My biggest "problem" with guns is that I like them all: EBRs, beautiful hunting rifles, shotguns, cowboy guns, autoloading pistols, revolvers ....... so finding a reason to buy another is never a problem.

While most of my HGs are autos, it's definitely worth owning at least one revolver. If I was going to own just one revolver, it'd be a 357 Mag. It's extremely versatile, being able to shoot light .38 Specials, heavy 357 Mags and everything in between. Also, 38s are very cheap to shoot.
 
Everyone should have at least one of each in their gun collection:

  • 1911A1, I have two.

    Revolver, your choice of caliber. I prefer the .357 mag.

    Shotgun

    SKS or AK-47

As touching the revolver question. There are some atributes that make carrying a revolver more logical than an autoloader. The chief being no feed ramp to deal with, thus no feeding problems with certain kinds of ammo. The down side is capacity. With a revolver you only get five or six, but that can be compensated for with speed loaders!!

Heck, even skunk has relented and has joined the retro revolver revolution!! :evil:
 
I'm pretty sure there's a federal law somewhere that says you MUST own a revolver. Something about paying proper tribute to our frontier days and John Wayne.

Aside from that, how could one look at a 4" S&W 686 and not want one at the house? Can you look me in the eye and honestly say that the Colt Python or Colt Trooper isn't the sexiest sixgun ever designed?

Yea, revolvers are wonderful things to have around. I love my 1991 and my BHP, but there's something about that wheelgun that strikes a chord with your soul.

If you can buy one without jeopardizing your financial standing, buy one. You'll be better for the experience.
 
I started as a semi - auto fan. In PA, however, it is not legal to hunt with a semi - auto pistol.

I started buying revolvers with hunting in mind. Now I have many types and sizes. Both autos and revolvers do some things very well. It's nice to have choices.

Plus you have a larger assortment of cannons with wheel guns. :evil:
 
Besides the cannons you can get in a revolver, there are some sexy small .22's also. This Ruger Bearcat in blued or polished stainless with different bbl lengths feels like a weel worn glove of deerskin.


4SHOT_03_06_RUGER_BEARCAT.JPG



Bearcat.jpg



152H.gif



60H.gif
 
I had a Ruger GP-100 and loved it. It was solid and as reliable as a. . . well, as a revolver. But I bought a 1911 and found that I was never taking that revolver to the range anymore. If I had money to buy bullets I was buying .45 ACP and not .357 magnum. The auto was a lot more fun to shoot. For my next purchase I never even considered another revolver. I eventually traded my revolver for another auto. As good as that gun was, I don't miss it. I'm sure I'll get another wheelgun again, but it will probably be a single-action western gun like a Vaquero. My love of the double-action revolver has faded. I would only buy one if I had a lot of extra money.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
  • Poll
lightweight and inexpensive semi auto for ccw
Replies
22
Views
1K
Willieboy
W
U
  • Locked
Semi-auto Vs Revolver Reliability
2 3 4
Replies
83
Views
4K
wristtwister
W
S
  • Locked
Cleaning a Semi-Auto
Replies
4
Views
471
KTXdm9
K
B
  • Locked
Which 9mm semi-Auto should I buy?
2 3
Replies
51
Views
3K
plouffedaddy
P
R
  • Locked
Semi auto buying tips
Replies
12
Views
642
Sean Smith
S
Back
Top